Jordan's King Abdullah speaking out against the Iraq war for the first time "strongly condemned" civilian casualties caused by the conflict.

King Abdullah told Wednesday the state news agency Petra he felt "pained and saddened when we watch on television the increasing number of martyrs among innocent Iraqi civilians". "I, as a father, feel the pain of every Iraqi family, every child and father."

King Abdullah said he had contacted other countries before the war started in an attempt to prevent the conflict. "I am a Muslim, an Arab and a Hashemite and nobody can outbid my concern for my people and my (Arab) nation," he said.

He said that US forces had asked Jordan for use of its airspace, a request he "adamantly rejected". Jordan had "faced a lot of problems as a result of our position which rejects war and calls for a peaceful settlement of this crisis and through the United Nations," he added.

He said Jordan had warned on numerous occasions that the war would have "destructive effects" not only on Iraq but "also on the whole region". (Albawaba.com)